Chapter 146 She Is Not an Easy Woman

Chapter 146 She Is Not an Easy Woman

The itinerary was packed tight—Tessa stayed in Eden for less than two days before heading back.

Before leaving, the children reluctantly gave Tessa gifts as a farewell.

Heavy brass bullet casings strung into a necklace hung from a cord, substantial in her hand.

Tessa stared at the thing, her mood suddenly sinking.

In normal families, kids' toys were Barbie dolls or other playthings.

But these children had been exposed to cold, hard weapons from birth, trained in nothing but self-preservation.

Tessa didn't consider herself a sentimental person, but this trip had unexpectedly stirred a measure of pity for the children's circumstances.

Since they'd been so kind to her, Tessa felt she should protect them.

"What if—just hypothetically," Tessa said on the plane, carefully choosing her words, "after Ryan takes over, could we shut down Eden? Or at least give these kids a more complete life?"

Let them receive a normal education, freely choose their futures, be like other children.

That sentence seemed to freeze the space itself. Adam and Eve both fell silent.

Neither of them moved their eyes, sitting motionless as if paralyzed.

Only Sawyer up front turned to give Tessa an odd look.

"Even if we don't let them leave Eden, there are better ways to give them richer lives instead of treating them like domesticated pets."

Pets wag their tails and get treats from their owners—what about these children?

These children would never have the right to choose. Even if they left this place, they'd still live within the web the Dobbins family had constructed.

A long moment passed before Eve spoke, her tone laced with sarcasm.

"Ms. Garcia, you're the most naive person I've ever met."

"Without Mr. Dobbins, these children wouldn't even have names. They'd be nameless corpses on the roadside."

"The Dobbins family raises us to gain benefits. Without that benefit, why would Eden even exist? Do you know how many children your actions would get killed, Ms. Garcia?"

For the first time, Eve showed clear hostility toward Tessa, openly mocking her.

"Eden has existed as long as the Dobbins family has. The children before us didn't even have the right to names—they were destined to live in the shadows, working for the family."

Eve, rarely talkative, spoke at length now—every sentence dripping with sarcasm toward Tessa.

"Mr. Dobbins has already done more than enough for us. We have no right to demand anything else. This system isn't something just anyone can change."

Tessa silently clenched her hands.

Eve's words fell into her heart like rain, dousing her passion and bringing her back to reality.

Ideals were beautiful; reality was cruel. Tessa had only wanted to save the children with all her might, never considering the massive interests entangled behind Eden's existence.

Adam still smiled with warm politeness, his azure eyes like the churning sea below—bottomless.

"Eve speaks very directly. Ms. Garcia, please don't take it to heart."

"Perhaps Ms. Garcia hasn't yet grasped Eden's significance. In fact, children who leave Eden don't only work for Mr. Dobbins—many like us also work for Mr. Dobbins's subordinates."

The Dobbins family used this to consolidate their sphere of influence. Eden's existence wasn't just about protection—it was about control.

"If the Dobbins family falls, it won't bring peace to this land. On the contrary, there'll only be more trouble. Countless small factions will try to recreate the Dobbins family's glory. That would be a disaster."

They worked in tandem, making quite a convincing case.

Then Adam looked hopefully at Ryan, trying to get him to speak up and add some sense.

Ryan's expression remained indifferent, unbothered by their small-scale argument.

"Tessa isn't just anyone. If she wants to do this, I'll seriously consider it."

He hadn't directly rejected Tessa's idea, and had indirectly validated her.

A flash of panic crossed Adam's face.

"Ryan, you can't indulge Ms. Garcia unconditionally—this will make others resent you!"

Ryan's eyes held only Tessa, caring nothing for others. "I know what I'm doing."

"The future head of the Dobbins family can't just repeat old rules."

Both Adam and Eve fell silent.

They finally understood—Ryan wasn't unaware of the risks this would create. He simply still wanted to leave room for Tessa's idea.

After the plane landed, Adam and Eve were both clearly unsettled. The most obvious sign was that they left without even saying goodbye.

Sawyer called out a strained farewell after them.

Back at the castle, Sawyer immediately sought out Brian and Nova.

"How did the Eden trip go? Did Ryan change his mind?"

Sawyer sighed deeply. "Their minds changed, all right."

"See, I told you Ryan's someone who weighs pros and cons. Once he thinks it through—"

"I think Mr. Williams is preparing to completely transform the Dobbins family."

Brian's smile froze instantly. "What do you mean?"

"On the way back, Ms. Garcia proposed liberating Eden. Adam and Eve tried their hardest to stop her, but they couldn't fully convince her. Mr. Williams said... if Ms. Garcia wants to do it, he'll seriously consider it."

Sawyer's face was full of concern. "Mr. Dobbins, I think we shouldn't let Ms. Garcia continue like this. Sooner or later, she'll destroy everything."

A flash of astonishment crossed Brian's face. He turned to lock eyes with Nova for several seconds.

Soon, they both started laughing.

Their laughter only deepened Sawyer's confusion.

The situation was this critical—what were Brian and Nova finding so amusing?

Nova waved her hand, holding her stomach. "This kind of thing happened a long time ago too."

Brian affectionately handed her a glass of water to help her catch her breath.

"She really is someone you chose. Tessa's exactly like you were when you were young."

Sawyer stared at this scene, dumbstruck, momentarily unable to speak. Had he walked into the wrong room?

Weren't they discussing something serious? How had the conversation suddenly taken this turn?

"Should I try talking to Mr. Williams?" Sawyer asked hesitantly.

Brian faced him, dropping the smile in an instant.

"I think Tessa's right. The Dobbins family should change."

"Years ago when I agreed to give you all names, I faced plenty of opposition too. But the facts proved those changes were necessary—you all did become better."

Change had to come gradually. Brian had made some changes; Ryan, as his son, naturally had the right to make the rest.

"Spread the word—don't interfere. Let him do what he wants."

Walking out of the study, Sawyer felt like he'd just learned something extraordinary.